Stackable basket-style article carrier with ergonomic side handle

ABSTRACT

A basket-style article carrier ( 200 ) that is collapsible when empty, and stackable when loaded with articles (C). A handle (H) is disposed on the side of the carrier ( 200 ) and includes an angled handle aperture (O). The handle aperture (O) defines a axis of elongation (Y), which is at an angle (A) with tubular axis (X) of the basket style carrier ( 200 ). The angle of the handle aperture (O) allows one to hold the basket-style carrier ( 200 ) at one&#39;s side with one&#39;s arm hanging substantially toward the floor such that the articles (C) remain in the carrier ( 200 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 60/672,345,filed Apr. 18, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to basket-style carriers for packagingand transporting multiple articles, and more particularly to a stackablebasket-style carrier with an ergonomic side handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Basket-style carriers for carrying multiple articles, well known in theart, are useful for enabling consumers to transport, store, and accessthe articles for consumption. These carriers typically have a handle ontop, thereby forming a conventional basket that typically includes ariser or partition extending upwardly from the bottom of the carrierfrom which the handle is fashioned. Such a handle placement prevents thecarriers from being stackable, making their shipping and storing lessefficient than other cartons. However, consumers appreciate basket-stylecarriers for their convenience of carrying. Therefore, there exists aneed for a basket-style carrier that is stackable when loaded and stillconvenient for the consumer.

Article carriers with side handles are known. However, typical sidehandles provide a handle aperture that is essentially vertical, in themanner of the handle of a coffee mug. However, a basket-style carrier istypically carried by a user in one hand with the user's arm essentiallystraight down at his or her side. Such a carrier having a vertical sidehandle results in the basket-style carrier being disposed on its sidewhen carried, allowing the articles to fall out. Thus, there exists aneed for a stackable basket-style carrier with a side handle that allowsa consumer to easily carry articles in the carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art byproviding a basket-style carrier that is stackable when loaded witharticles and easy for the consumer to carry. More specifically,according to the various embodiments, the invention provides acollapsible, partitioned, basket-style carrier with a side handle havingan ergonomically angled hand aperture.

The exemplary carrier is formed of a foldable sheet material andincludes a tubular structure formed from preferably several wallshingedly connected one to another. The tubular structure may have anyconfiguration, including but not limited to, a cylindrical tube, atriangular tube, a rectangular tube, or a tube having a cross sectionthat is a hybrid of any number of shapes. A bottom wall encloses one endof the tubular structure and provides a support surface for the articlesenclosed by the carrier. The tubular structure defines a tubular axisthat is normal to the plane of the bottom wall and extendslongitudinally through the center of the tubular structure. In theexemplary embodiments described in more detail below, the tubularstructure includes opposing side walls, opposing end walls, and a bottomwall. A composite handle structure is connected to a wall of thecarrier, and preferably to at least one of the end walls. At least onepartition divides the interior of the carrier into compartments, eachcompartment being for enclosing a single article or a group of articlesand for strengthening the weight-bearing capacity of the carrier.

The ergonomics of the article carrier are greatly improved, as comparedto prior art efforts, primarily by the inclusion of an angled handleaperture. The handle structure includes an elongate handle aperturedisposed therethrough, the handle aperture defining an axis ofelongation that is angled toward the open end of the article carrier soas to be at an acute angle with respect to the tubular axis of thecarrier. Thus, when the carrier is loaded with articles and carried in auser's hand that is hanging down at the user's side, a weight bearingedge of the elongate handle aperture rests across the span of the user'sfingers, which are curled or otherwise disposed through the handleaperture. The acute angle is calculated to slant the articles in thecarrier when the weight bearing edge of the handle aperture issubstantially parallel to the floor. In this manner, the articles aredisposed with bottom ends lower than top ends on a slope that issufficient to prevent the articles from sliding out of the carrier.Thus, the user need not hold his or her arm at an uncomfortable angle orbend it at the elbow while carrying the loaded carrier.

According to one aspect, the exemplary basket-style article carrier ismade vertically stackable when loaded with articles, at least in part bylocating the handle on a side or end of the carrier rather than the topof the carrier. The stackability of the package is enhanced by providingcarrier walls, panels, and partitions that are no taller than the heightof the articles that are to be enclosed by the carrier. In other words,the intended articles, which may be cans, bottles, or the like, are atleast as tall as the walls and partitions of a first carrier such thatthe bottom wall of a second carrier stacked on the first carrier will besupported by the tops of the intended articles. Alternatively, at leasttwo of the carrier walls and/or partitions are rectangular and tallerthan the intended articles such that the upper edges of at least two ofthe carrier walls and/or partitions are parallel to the plane of thebottom wall. These rectangular and relatively taller walls form the baseupon which a second carrier can be stacked.

The present invention overcomes the inconvenience of having asubstantially vertical hand aperture by providing a more ergonomichandle with an angled hand aperture that prevents the contents of thecarrier from sliding out of the carrier. Thus, the carrier of thepresent invention includes a handle that allows one to carry thebasket-style carrier at one's side while maintaining the articles in anessentially upright position in which the upper end of each article ispositioned above the lower end of the article.

The height of the carrier, defined as the height of the tallest of theside walls, end walls, handle panel, and partition walls, is determinedby the height of the intended articles. That is, to remain stackable,the height of the carrier is preferably substantially equal to orsomewhat less than the height of the intended articles. In this manner,the intended articles are actually the weight-bearing support membersfor stacking additional carriers vertically. Thus, the carton walls andpartitions may be fashioned from relatively less sturdy materials.Alternatively, the height of the carrier is defined as the height of thetallest two or more equally tall walls, panels, and partitions, and isat least slightly greater than the height of the intended articles.According to this alternative, the tallest walls and partitions aresufficiently strong to support the weight of one or more carriersstacked atop the carrier. In all of the embodiments shown, the uppermostedge of the handle extends no higher than the uppermost edge of thetallest portion of the carrier or than the maximum height of theintended articles, although such embodiments are contemplated.

The present invention also provides for a blank for constructing theexemplary basket-style carrier with side handle. The blank generallyincludes multiple panels, tabs, and flaps hingedly connected to oneanother such that, in the erected carrier, the panels form theaforementioned opposed side walls, opposed end walls, bottom wall, oneor more partitions, and composite handle panel with angled handleaperture. More specifically, the blank includes an upper and a lowerelongate transverse section having first and second longitudinal axesthat extend along the length of the blank. The first longitudinal axisextends along the upper edge of the upper transverse section, and thesecond longitudinal axis extends along the lower edge of the lowertransverse section. The upper transverse section is preferably at leastsomewhat symmetrical to the lower transverse section, at least part ofits lower edge coinciding with an axis of symmetry that is also at leastpartly coincident with the upper edge of the lower transverse section.

The upper and lower transverse sections each include several panelshingedly connected to one another along the respective longitudinalaxis, including: a first end wall panel, a side panel hingedly connectedto the first end wall panel, a second end wall panel hingedly connectedto the side panel, and a handle panel hingedly connected to the secondend wall panel. The upper handle panel includes an elongate handleaperture that has an axis of elongation disposed at an acute angle withrespect to the upper longitudinal axis. The lower handle panel includesan elongate handle aperture that has an axis of elongation disposed atan acute angle with respect to the lower longitudinal axis. The upperand lower handle panels are hingedly connected to respective upper andlower reinforcing panels that, when the blank is erected into a finishedcarrier, cooperate with the handle panels to form a composite handle bywhich the carrier is lifted.

In certain embodiments, the upper and lower reinforcing panels are alsohingedly connected to respective upper and lower partition wall panelsthat are arranged at one end of respective upper and lower transverseelongate sections that, when the blank is erected, form a compositepartition panel for subdividing the interior of the carrier. The upperand lower partition wall panels also include partially detachablepartition flaps that form additional partitions disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the composite partition panel for further subdividingthe interior of the carrier. In the exemplary embodiments, the interiorof the erected carrier is halved by the composite partition panel andquartered by the partition flaps, although various other divisions arecontemplated.

According to another aspect of the invention, the blank is composed of asingle sheet of foldable sheet material that can be easily assembledinto a basket-style carrier that is preferably collapsible afterassembly for ease of shipping to a loading facility.

The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features ofthe present invention, which should be construed to be merelyillustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Otherbeneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed informationin a different manner or by combining the disclosed embodiments.Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of theinvention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description ofthe exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by theclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a blank for forminga basket-style carrier of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a basket-style article carrier formedfrom the blank of FIG. 1, shown in an assembled and non-collapsedcondition.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the carrier of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the carrier of FIG. 2, shown in anassembled and collapsed condition.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 2, shown beinggrasped by a user's hand.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the carrier of FIG. 2, shown beingheld by a user's hand, hanging downward from the user's arm.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 2, shown being heldby a user's hand, hanging downward from the user's arm.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the blank of FIG. 1, showing the relationshipbetween the longitudinal axes of the exemplary blank and the axes ofelongation of the handle apertures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merelyexemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various andalternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word“exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve asillustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are notnecessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimizedto show details of particular components. In other instances, well-knowncomponents, systems, materials, or methods have not been described indetail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate likeelements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certainof the various aspects of exemplary embodiments of a basket-stylecarrier according to the teachings of the present invention.

In the exemplary embodiment described herein, the invention provides abasket-style article carrier that is collapsible when empty andstackable when loaded. The handle, being on the side of the carrierrather than the top, allows multiple loaded carriers to be stacked. Theangle of the handle allows one to hold the basket-style carrier at one'sside with one's arm hanging substantially toward the floor, with thearticles remaining in the carrier.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, thebasket-style article carrier 200 (best shown in FIG. 2) is formed fromblank 100—which is preferably a single sheet of suitable substrate. Itis to be understood that, as used herein the term “suitable substrate”includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard,corrugated board, plastic, or the like. The terms “fold line” and“severance line” refer to all manner of printed lines indicating optimalfold or cut locations, frangible or otherwise weakened lines,perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line ofhalf-cuts, a single half-cut, a cut line, scored lines, slits, anycombination thereof, and the like.

Blank 100 generally includes a plurality of panels, each hingedlyconnected to at least one other panel. More specifically, FIG. 1 is aplan view of the blank 100 for forming an exemplary basket-style carrier200, with the inside surface of the blank 100 shown. The opposite side(not shown) of the blank 100 is the outside surface of the carrier,which may be used as its art side for printing product information andother decorative and marketing information, such as logos. Fordiscussion purposes, the blank 100 can be described in terms ofrespective upper and lower transverse elongate sections A1 and A2 thatare connected to one another in a side by side arrangement; and in termsof three functional sections—a carrier section B1, a handle section B2,and a partition section B3. The carrier section B1 is preferablyhingedly connected to the handle section B2, and the handle section B2is optionally hingedly connected to the partition section B3. Thecomponents of the blank 100 are optimally arranged in part to form afootprint that yields a minimum amount of waste sheet material.

Each transverse section A1, A2 has a longitudinal axis that extendsacross the blank 100 from the left edge to the right. Upper transversesection A1 includes an end edge flap 102 hingedly connected to a firstend wall panel 114, which is hingedly connected to a first side panel132, which is hingedly connected to a second end wall panel 146, whichis hingedly connected to a handle panel 150. Handle panel 150 ispreferably further hingedly connected to reinforcing panel 170, which ishingedly connected to partition wall panel 180. In like fashion, lowertransverse section A2 includes an end edge flap 104 hingedly connectedto a first end wall panel 118, which is hingedly connected to a firstside panel 138, which is hingedly connected to a second end wall panel152, which is hingedly connected to a handle panel 154. Handle panel 154is preferably hingedly connected to reinforcing panel 171, which ishingedly connected to partition wall panel 182.

At one end of blank 100, end edge flap 102 is hingedly connected alongfold line 103 to end edge flap 104. End edge flap 102 includes a notch105 along its end edge and a retention tab 107 on its side edge. Endedge flap 104 preferably includes a congruent notch 106 along its endedge and a congruent retention tab 108 on its side edge. The notches105, 106 are provided to maximize the surface area adjacent to thenotches 105, 106 available for securing the end edge flaps 102, 104 toone another while minimizing the consumption of sheet material. End edgeflap 102 and end edge flap 104 are preferably symmetrical about foldline 103 so as to conform to one another when folded into a facecontacting configuration. In certain embodiments, a portion of materialproximate to fold line 103 is removed, creating aperture 110, so as tofacilitate folding along fold line 103 while reducing the thickness andcongestion of the resulting fold.

End edge flap 102 is hingedly connected along fold line 112 to end wallpanel 114. Similarly, end edge flap 104 is hingedly connected along foldline 116 to end wall panel 118. End wall panel 114 is hingedly connectedalong fold line 120 to side panel 132. Side panel 132 is hingedlyconnected along fold line 130 to bottom panel 128, which is hingedlyconnected along optional fold line 126 to bottom panel 124. Fold line126 facilitates collapsing the assembled carrier 200, and thus may beeliminated if the carrier 200 is not to be collapsed after assembly. Anotch 127 between bottom panels 128, 124 is bisected by fold line 126,and cooperates with retention tabs 107 and 108 to secure the carrier 200in an erected condition. Side panel 132 is hingedly connected along foldline 134 to end wall panel 146. End edge flap 104 is hingedly connectedalong fold line 116 to end wall panel 118. End wall panel 118 ishingedly connected along fold line 122 to side panel 138, which ishingedly connected along fold line 140 to side edge flap 142. Side panel138 is hingedly connected along fold line 144 to end wall panel 152. Theinner edges of each of the panels 114, 132, 146, 118, 138, and 152border aperture 136, and form the upper edges of the walls of theerected carrier 200.

The carrier section B1 is hingedly connected along fold lines 148 and151 to the handle section B2 of blank 100. More specifically, end wallpanel 146 is hingedly connected along fold line 148 to handle panel 150.End wall panel 152 is hingedly connected along fold line 151 to handlepanel 154. Handle panel 150 is hingedly connected along fold line 153 tohandle panel 154. Each of the handle panels 150, 154 includes a handleaperture 156, 160, respectively. The handle apertures 156, 160 can beenlarged and reinforced by means of respective partially detachablehandle flaps 158, 162, which are partially defined by respective foldlines 159, 163. The handle flaps 158, 162 also cushion the user's handwhen folded over the raw edges of the weight bearing portion of eachhandle aperture 156, 160 that is gripped by the user's hand. Handleapertures 156 and 160 are preferably symmetrical and equidistant fromfold line 153, such that when folded toward one another along fold line153, the handle apertures 156, 160 are in registry with one another andcreate a single handle aperture.

The structural integrity of handle panels 150, 154 is reinforced byreinforcing panels 170, 171. Handle panel 150 is hingedly connectedalong fold line 164 to reinforcing panel 170. Handle panel 154 ishingedly connected along fold line 166 to reinforcing panel 171.Reinforcing panels 170 and 171 include apertures 172, 176 that are atleast as large as handle apertures 156, 160 and align with handleapertures 156, 160 so as not to obstruct or overlap the perimeterthereof, but are not necessarily symmetrical. The apertures 172, 176 mayin fact be larger than handle apertures 156, 160 to providereinforcement, while minimizing the amount of material consumed as wellas the thickness of the composite handle H (best shown in FIGS. 2-7)that is formed from the handle panels 150, 154 and the reinforcingpanels 170, 171. Reinforcing panel 170 is hingedly connected toreinforcing panel 171 along fold line 175, a portion of which may beproximate to or include an aperture 174 that facilitates folding andreduces the thickness and congestion of material along the fold. Theinner edges of each of the handle panels 150, 154 and the reinforcingpanels 170, 171 border aperture 168, and along with fold lines 164 and166, form an outer edge of the handle H of the erected carrier 200.

As mentioned above, the handle section B2 is optionally hingedlyconnected to the partition section B3. More specifically, reinforcingpanel 170 is hingedly connected to partition wall panel 180 along line173, a portion of which may border or be defined by aperture 172.Similarly, reinforcing panel 171 is hingedly connected to partition wallpanel 182 along line 178. Lines 173 and 178, which border respectivepairs of panels 170 and 180 and panels 171 and 182, are not necessarilyfold lines, but preferably merely demarcate the transition betweenreinforcing panels 170, 171 and partition wall panels 180 and 182. Thewidth of partition wall panel 182, being the distance from fold line 192to the opposite edge of partition wall panel 182, may approximate theheight of carrier 200, which preferably remains equal or lesser than theheight of intended articles to be carried.

Partition wall panels 180, 182 include respective partition flaps 194,196. Partition flap 194 is partially detachable from partition wallpanel 180, being hingedly connected along fold line 184 and detachablealong severance line 198. Partition flap 194 also includes partition tab191, which is partially detachable from partition wall panel 180 viaseverance line 188 and is also hingedly attached along fold lines 187 aand 187 b. Partition flap 196 is partially detachable from partitionwall panel 182, being hingedly connected along fold line 186 anddetachable along severance line 199 a and 199 b. Partition flap 196 alsoincludes partition tab 193, which is partially detachable from partitionwall panel 182 via severance line 195 and is also hingedly attachedalong fold lines 189 a and 189 b.

Erecting the basket-style carrier 200 from the blank 100 may beaccomplished with the folding operations as described herein, theoperations being performed by automatic erecting machinery and/ormanually. The method of performing the erecting process is not limitedto the exemplary method described herein, particularly in that the orderof the steps can be altered according to the particular manufacturingrequirements, steps may be added or omitted, and the means for securingcomponents to one another may vary.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the inside surfaces of handlepanel 150 and reinforcing panel 170 are folded toward one another alongfold line 164 into a face contacting arrangement, and the surfaces ofsheet material may be secured together by suitable means for securing,such suitable securing means including tape, staples, interlockingfolds, VELCRO®, glue or other adhesives, and the like. Substantiallyconcurrently, the inside surfaces of handle panel 154 and reinforcingpanel 171 are folded toward one another along fold line 166 into a facecontacting arrangement, and connected with means for securing. Foldingthe handle panel 150 into a face contacting arrangement with reinforcingpanel 170 places the inside surface of a portion of partition panel 180in a face contacting arrangement with the inside surface of end wallpanel 146, and places partition flap 194 in a face contactingarrangement with side panel 132. Similarly, folding handle panel 154into a face contacting arrangement with reinforcing panel 171 places theinside surface of a portion of partition panel 182 in a face contactingarrangement with the inside surface of end wall panel 152, and placespartition flap 196 in a face contacting arrangement with side panel 138.Handle apertures 156 and 160 and apertures 172 and 176 all align to forma single handle aperture O (best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). Handle flaps158 and 162 align so that each can be folded toward one another in anoverlapping fashion or to the side or another along fold lines 159 and163, respectively, and placed through the handle opening when in use.Handle flaps 158 and 162 function to provide a smooth grip area for theuser's hand and fingers by covering the raw edges of the aperture O inthe handle H.

End wall panel 114 is folded toward side panel 132 along fold line 120such that at least a portion of the inside surfaces of the panels 114,132 are face to face, and at least a portion of end edge flap 102 mayalso overlap a portion of the outside surface of partition panel 180.Substantially concurrently, end wall panel 118 is folded along fold line122 toward side panel 138 such that at least a portion of the respectiveinside surfaces of the panels 118, 138 are also face to face, and atleast a portion of end edge flap 104 may overlap a portion of theoutside surface of partition panel 182.

End edge flaps 102 and 104 are folded along fold line 103 so that theoutside surfaces thereof are face to face and retention tabs 107 and 108are aligned with one another. The outside surfaces of the end edge flaps102, 104 and retention tabs 107, 108 are secured together by means forsecuring, thereby creating a composite partition flap 102/104(obstructed in FIG. 2) that protrudes inwardly from composite end wall202 (best shown in FIG. 2) and, optionally, a composite retention tab107/108. As mentioned above, optional aperture 110 may be included alongfold line 103 to increase the flexibility and decrease the congestion ofthis fold. Substantially concurrently, the outside surfaces ofreinforcing panels 170, 171 are folded toward one another along foldline 175 and secured, as the inside surfaces of handle panels 150, 154are folded toward one another along fold line 153, with reinforcingpanels 170, 171 disposed between handle panels 150, 154. All surfaces ofhandle panels 150, 154 and reinforcing panels 170, 171 are adjacent andpositioned in a face contacting arrangement with respect to one anotherand are preferably secured to one another so as to form a relativelystrong and relatively rigid composite handle H, which is best shown inFIGS. 2-7. Some material may be removed creating aperture 174, whichreduces the thickness and congestion of the fold between the handlepanels 150, 154 and reinforcing panels 170, 171.

With the exception of the respective partition flaps 194, 196 andpartition tabs 191, 193, the outside surface of partition panel 180 ispreferably secured to the outside surface of partition panel 182,thereby creating a composite partition P (best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4).An uppermost portion adjacent to composite retention tab 107/108 and alowermost portion adjacent to fold line 103 of composite partition flap102/104 are preferably interposed between or otherwise secured torespective uppermost and lowermost portions of the panels comprising thecomposite partition P.

To square up the carrier portion B1, panels 114, 118 are rotatedoutwardly along fold lines 112, 116, 120, and 122, respectively, toapproximately 90 degrees, thereby creating composite end wall 202composed of end wall panel 114 and 118. Panels 134, 144, 146, 152 arelikewise rotated outwardly along fold lines 148 and 151, respectively toapproximately 90 degrees, thereby creating composite end wall 204 (bestshown in FIG. 2) composed of end wall panel 146 and 152. Composite endwalls 202 and 204 oppose one another and are perpendicular to resultantside walls 232 and 238. Thus, the perimeter of the carrier 200 isdefined by composite end wall 202, which is hingedly connected to sidewall 232, which is hingedly connected to composite end wall 204, whichis hingedly connected to side wall 238, which is also hingedly connectedto composite end wall 202.

Partition tab 191 is folded 90 degrees along fold line 187 a and 187 bto be perpendicular to partition flap 194, which is folded 90 degrees tobe perpendicular to the plane of composite partition P. In this manner,partition tab 191 is positioned parallel to side wall 232. The inside oroutside surface of partition tab 191 is secured to the inside surface ofside wall 232 so as to fix the perpendicular alignment of partition flap194 with respect to side wall 232 and composite partition P. Similarly,partition tab 193 is folded 90 degrees along fold line 189 a and 189 bto be perpendicular to partition flap 196, which is folded 90 degrees tobe perpendicular to the plane of composite partition P. In this manner,partition tab 193 is positioned parallel to side wall 238. The inside oroutside surface of partition tab 193 is secured to the inside surface ofside wall 238 so as to fix the perpendicular alignment of partition flap196 with respect to side wall 238 and composite partition P.

Side edge flap 142 is folded inwardly along fold line 140 toapproximately 90 degrees, and bottom panels 124, 128 are folded inwardlytogether along fold line 130 so that a portion of the inside surface ofbottom panel 124 contacts and is secured to the outside surface of sideedge flap 142. Bottom panels 124 and 128 thereby form bottom wall124/128. By matingly engaging clips 107, 108 with notch 127 betweenbottom panels 124 and 128, the walls comprising the perimeter of carrier200 are secured in squared arrangement, i.e., with opposing end walls202, 204 substantially parallel to one another and substantiallyperpendicular to opposing side walls 232, 238, which are substantiallyparallel to one another as well. Retention tabs 107, 108 may or may notbe secured to one another, and preferably fold flat against bottom wall124/128 while engaged with notch 127 so as to enable the bottom wall124/128 of carrier 200 to rest on a flat surface.

By means of composite partition P and of partition flaps 194 and 196,the carrier 200 is effectively quartered to enclose four articles in atwo by two (2×2) arrangement. Those skilled in the art will readilyrecognize that other arrangements of various numbers of articles can beachieved, such as by positioning two partition flaps on each partitionpanel 180, 182 yielding a 2×3 arrangement enclosing six articles. Asshown in FIGS. 3 and 5-7, the articles enclosed by the carrier 200 areat least as tall as the tallest of the carrier walls 202, 204, 232, 238,or partition P.

As described above, FIG. 4 demonstrates that optional fold line 126 canbe utilized after carrier 200 is assembled, to enable basket carrier 200to be collapsed into a flattened arrangement such as for shipping. Tocollapse carrier 200 after it has been at least partially erected, theretention tabs 107, 108 (not visible) are disengaged from notch 127,thereby allowing the carrier 200 to spring back into a collapsedcondition. The following panels are folded onto one another in noparticular order: the inside surfaces of bottom panels 124 and 128 arecollapsed together along fold lines 126, 130, and 140; the outsidesurface of end wall panel 114 is collapsed along fold lines 112 and 120onto the outside surface of end wall panel 118, which is collapsed alongfold line 116 and 122; side wall 232 is collapsed onto end wall panel114 and partition panel P along fold line 134; side wall 238 iscollapsed onto end wall panel 118 and partition panel P along fold line144; partition flaps 194 and 196 are collapsed onto opposite sides ofpartition panel P by unfolding fold lines 184 and 186; and end wallpanels 146, 152 are collapsed onto opposite sides of partition panel Pby unfolding respective fold lines 148, 151.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the orientation of the handle aperture O isoptimized to improve the ergonomics of the carrier 200 such that thecarrier 200 can be carried at one's side without the articles, shown ascans C, falling out. FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the erectedcarrier 200 having been loaded with cans C. An imaginary linerepresenting the tubular axis X extends through the center of thetubular structure of the carrier 200 so as to be equidistant fromopposing end walls 202, 204 and equidistant from opposing side walls232, 238. A second imaginary line represents the axis of elongation Y ofthe elongate handle aperture O, and coincides with the weight bearingedge of elongate handle aperture O, the weight bearing edge beingdefined by fold lines 159/163, which are substantially aligned with oneanother. As previously related, handle flaps 158/162 (not shown) cushionthe weight bearing edge for the comfort of the user. Tubular axis X andaxis of elongation Y intersect, with the resultant angle A between thetwo being acute, and calculated to minimize the risk that articles willfall out of the carrier 200 when carried at the user's side.

When the carrier 200 is carried at the user's side with the user's armhanging substantially straight down toward the floor (as shown in FIG.6), the axis of elongation Y is near horizontal with respect to thefloor. At this position, angle A is calculated as at least the minimumdeflection required to position the top of each article (can C) at asubstantially higher elevation than the bottom of the article. Thereby,the article is unlikely to fall out of the carrier 200. Angle A is thusgreater than zero, and is preferably not substantially greater than 90degrees. Angle A may be more acute when the coefficient of frictionbetween the surface of an article and the inside surface of the carrier200 is greater or when each article is tightly fitted into the carrier200. Angle A may be less acute when the coefficient of friction islower, that is, when each article has a tendency to slide with respectto the inside surface of the carrier, or when each article is looselyfitted into the carrier 200. In the exemplary embodiment as best shownin FIGS. 3 and 6, the angle A between the handle aperture and the axis Xis approximately 30 degrees, and preferably ranges from 20 degrees to 45degrees. Determination of the optimal value for angle A may further takeinto account the extent to which a typical person swings his or her armbackwards when carrying a loaded carrier at his or her side and walking,the goal being to prevent the articles from being upended at any pointin an imaginary arc representing the typical arm swing. In certainembodiments, the elongate handle aperture O is disposed at an angle A orotherwise designed such that the user does not have to exert or providea moment of force on the handle H to carry the carrier 200. Rather, theuser need only provide a lifting force to offset the weight of theloaded carrier 200.

Referring to FIG. 8, the advantageous disposition of the elongate handleaperture is also manifest in the blank 100. The respective longitudinalaxes Z and Z′ of each transverse section A1, A2 are shown in the figure,the longitudinal axes Z, Z′ extending horizontally across the blank 100.Elongate handle aperture 156 defines an axis of elongation Y that isinclined at an acute angle B with respect to longitudinal axis Z that isdisposed along the upper longitudinal edge of the blank 100. Elongatehandle aperture 160 defines an axis of elongation Y′ that is inclined atan acute angle B′ with respect to longitudinal axis Z′ disposed along alower respective outer longitudinal edge of the blank 100. The angles Band B′ are preferably equal or are otherwise related to place the handleaperture 156 and 160 in registry with one another in forming compositehandle H having handle aperture O disposed therethrough. The apertures172 and 176 may assume any configuration or orientation that does notinterfere with the perimeter of aperture O. In the exemplary embodiment,the angle B, B′ between the longitudinal axis Z, Z′ and the axis ofelongation Y, Y′ is 60 degrees, and preferably ranges from about 45 to70 degrees.

In use, the fully erected and loaded carrier 200 is typically stored ona substantially flat surface, such as a shelf (not shown), or is storedin a vertically oriented stack with at least one other carrier 200 placeatop or below the first carrier. As apparent in FIGS. 3 and 5-7, theexemplary carrier 200 has no wall or partition that extends above themaximum height defined by the upper edge of the cans C or other articlesenclosed by the carrier. In such embodiments, the carrier 200 is bestsuited to enclose articles having uniform height, and preferably eacharticle has at least a small flat top surface. Suitable articlesinclude, but are not limited to, cans, tins, bottles, jugs, juice boxes,and the like. In alternative embodiments, at least two of the walls andpartitions are taller than the articles enclosed so as to provide asupport structure upon which another carrier 200 can rest. For example,it is contemplated that end wall 202 can be formed from end wall panels114 and 118 that are substantially rectangular, and end wall 204 can beformed from end wall panels 146 and 152 that are substantiallyrectangular. These alternative end walls 202 and 204 can have the sameheight as the partition panel P, which can be made taller than theintended articles. Thus, a second carrier can be supported andstabilized by the cooperating end walls 202, 204 and partition P. Thisalternative embodiment (not shown) of carrier 200 preservesstackability, and is suited to enclose articles having varying heights,or articles having a uniform height that is less than the height of theend walls and partition.

When stacked, the composite handle H preferably extends toward the userfor ease of reach. Alternatively, the composite handle H may be stowed,that is, folded and/or removably secured against either end wall panel146, 152 comprising end wall 204. The user grasps the uppermost carrier200 by its composite handle H, as shown in FIG. 5, and carries thecarrier 200 as desired, including holding the carrier 200 at the user'sside as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, benefiting from the advantage of theangled handle H, which prevents articles from falling out. Thisadvantage is realized because in the downward position, the articles areat least somewhat upright, having upper portions at higher elevationsthan lower portions.

The present invention has been illustrated in relation to particularembodiments which are intended in all respects to be illustrative ratherthan restrictive. Those skilled in the art will recognize that thepresent invention is capable of many modifications and variationswithout departing from the scope of the invention. For example, as usedherein, directional references such as “top”, “bottom”, “end”, “side”,“inside”, “outside”, “upper”, “median”, “lower”, “vertical”, and“horizontal” do not limit the respective walls of the carton to suchorientation, but merely serve to distinguish these walls from oneanother. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed asnecessarily referring to a junction including a single hinge only;indeed, it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one ormore potentially disparate means for hingedly connecting materials.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the basket-stylecarrier described represents only one example of the various carriertypes and configurations that will be suitable for implementation of thevarious embodiments of the invention. For example, although the upperedges of the end walls, side walls, and partition wall are shown asbeing substantially straight edges, these upper edges my have anysuitable or creative shape, providing that the highest point along suchupper edge has a height less than or equal to the height of the intendedarticles. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is describedby the claims appended hereto and supported by the foregoing.

1. An ergonomic basket-style article carrier, comprising: a tubularstructure comprising a plurality of walls, the tubular structuredefining a tubular axis; a bottom wall hingedly connected to the tubularstructure so as to enclose the lower end of the tubular structure; and ahandle panel hingedly connected to the tubular structure and extendingoutwardly therefrom, the handle panel comprising an elongate handleaperture having an axis of elongation, the axis of elongation beingangled toward an upper open end of the tubular structure so as to bedisposed at an acute angle with respect to the tubular axis.
 2. Thearticle carrier of claim 1, the plurality of walls comprising: a firstend wall; a first side wall hingedly connected to one side of the firstend wall; a second side wall hingedly connected to an opposite side ofthe first end wall; a second end wall hingedly connected to the firstside wall and to the second side wall; wherein the bottom wall ishingedly connected to the first and second side walls.
 3. The articlecarrier of claim 2, the second end wall comprising a first end wallpanel and a second end wall panel hingedly connected to one another,wherein the handle panel is hingedly connected to the first end wallpanel and to the second end wall panel so as to be connected to thesecond end wall.
 4. The article carrier of claim 1, the axis ofelongation of the handle aperture being defined by a weight bearing edgeof the handle aperture.
 5. A blank for forming a basket-style carrierfor receiving a plurality of articles, the blank comprising: an uppertransverse section having a first longitudinal axis along its upperedge, the upper transverse section having formed therein a plurality ofpanels hingedly connected one to another along the first longitudinalaxis, the plurality of panels including an upper handle panel, the upperhandle panel comprising an elongate handle aperture with an axis ofelongation disposed at an acute angle with respect to the firstlongitudinal axis.
 6. The carrier blank of claim 5, the plurality ofpanels comprising: a first upper end wall panel; an upper side panel;and a second upper end wall panel; wherein the upper side panel ishingedly connected to the first upper end wall panel, the second upperend wall panel is hingedly connected to the upper side panel, and theupper handle panel is hingedly connected to the second upper end wallpanel
 7. The carrier blank of claim 5, further comprising: a lowertransverse section disposed alongside and hingedly connected to theupper transverse section, the lower transverse section having a secondlongitudinal axis along its lower edge, the lower transverse sectionhaving formed therein a plurality of panels hingedly connected one toanother along the second longitudinal axis, the plurality of panelsincluding a lower handle panel, the lower handle panel comprising anelongate handle aperture with an axis of elongation disposed at an acuteangle with respect to the second longitudinal axis.
 8. The carrier blankof claim 7, the plurality of panels comprising: a first lower end wallpanel; an lower side panel; and a second lower end wall panel; whereinthe lower side panel is hingedly connected to the first lower end wallpanel, the second lower end wall is hingedly connected to the secondlower end wall panel.
 9. The carrier blank of claim 7, wherein the upperand lower handle panels are hingedly connected to respective upper andlower reinforcing panels for, when the blank is erected into a finishedcarrier, forming a composite handle structure by which said carrier islifted.
 10. The carrier blank of claim 9, wherein the upper and lowerreinforcing panels are hingedly connected to respective upper and lowerpartition wall panels for, when the blank is erected into a finishedcarrier, forming a composite partition panel for subdividing theinterior of the carrier.
 11. The carrier blank of claim 10, wherein theupper and lower partition wall panels comprise partially detachablepartition flaps for, when the blank is erected into a finished carrier,forming additional partitions substantially perpendicular to thecomposite partition panel for further subdividing the interior of thecarrier.
 12. A package, comprising: a plurality of articles ofsubstantially uniform height; and a stackable basket-style articlecarrier for enclosing the articles, comprising; a first end wall; afirst side wall hingedly connected to one side of the first end wall; asecond side wall hingedly connected to an opposite side of the first endwall; a second end wall hingedly connected to the first side wall and tothe second side wall, and the second end wall comprising a first endwall panel and a second end wall panel hingedly connected to oneanother; a bottom wall hingedly connected to at least two of the firstand second end walls and the first and second side walls so as toenclose one end of the article carrier; a partition panel extendingacross from the first end wall to the second end wall; and a handlepanel hingedly connected to the first end wall panel and the second endwall panel so as to be connected to the second end wall, the handlepanel being extendable outwardly with respect to the second end wall;wherein the maximum height of any one of the end walls, the side walls,and the partition panel is no greater than the height of the pluralityof articles.
 13. The package of claim 12, wherein the handle panel hasan uppermost edge that extends no higher with respect to the bottom wallthan the height of the plurality of articles.
 14. The package of claim12, wherein: the article carrier defines a tubular axis; and the handlepanel comprises an elongate handle aperture having an axis ofelongation, the axis of elongation being angled toward the open end ofthe article carrier so as to be disposed at an acute angle with respectto the tubular axis.
 15. A package, comprising: a plurality of articlesof substantially uniform height; and a stackable basket-style articlecarrier for enclosing the articles, comprising; a tubular structurecomprising a plurality of walls; a bottom wall hingedly connected to thetubular structure so as to enclose the lower end of the tubularstructure; and a handle panel hingedly connected to the tubularstructure and extending outwardly therefrom; wherein the maximum heightof any one of the plurality of walls is no greater than the height ofthe articles.
 16. The package of claim 15, wherein the handle panel hasan uppermost edge that extends no higher with respect to the bottom wallthan the height of the plurality of articles.
 17. The package of claim15, wherein: the tubular structure defines a tubular axis; and thehandle panel comprises an elongate handle aperture having an axis ofelongation, the axis of elongation being angled toward the upper openend of the tubular structure so as to be disposed at an acute angle withrespect to the tubular axis.
 18. A package, comprising: a plurality ofarticles; and a stackable basket-style article carrier for enclosing thearticles, comprising; a first end wall; a first side wall hingedlyconnected to one side of the first end wall; a second side wall hingedlyconnected to an opposite side of the first end wall; a second end wallhingedly connected to the first side wall and to the second side wall,and the second end wall comprising a first end wall panel and a secondend wall panel hingedly connected to one another; a bottom wall hingedlyconnected to at least two of the first and second end walls and thefirst and second side walls so as to enclose one end of the articlecarrier; a partition panel extending across from the first end wall tothe second end wall; and a handle panel hingedly connected to the firstend wall panel and the second end wall panel so as to be connected tothe second end wall, the handle panel being extendable outwardly withrespect to the second end wall; wherein any two of the end walls, theside walls, and the partition panel have the same maximum height, whichis at least the height of the plurality of articles, and form a weightbearing structure.
 19. The package of claim 18, wherein the handle panelhas an uppermost edge that extends no higher with respect to the bottomwall than the height of the weight bearing structure.
 20. The package ofclaim 18, wherein: the article carrier defines a tubular axis; and thehandle panel comprises an elongate handle aperture having an axis ofelongation, the axis of elongation being angled toward the open end ofthe article carrier so as to be disposed at an acute angle with respectto the tubular axis.
 21. A package, comprising: a plurality of articlesof substantially uniform height; and a stackable basket-style articlecarrier for enclosing the articles, comprising; a tubular structurecomprising a plurality of walls; a bottom wall hingedly connected to thetubular structure so as to enclose the lower end of the tubularstructure; and a handle panel hingedly connected to the tubularstructure and extending outwardly therefrom; wherein any two of the endwalls, the side walls, and the partition panel have the same maximumheight, which is at least the height of the plurality of articles, andform a weight bearing structure.
 22. The package of claim 21, whereinthe handle panel has an uppermost edge that extends no higher withrespect to the bottom wall than the height of the weight bearingstructure.
 23. The package of claim 21, wherein: the tubular structuredefines a tubular axis; and the handle panel comprises an elongatehandle aperture having an axis of elongation, the axis of elongationbeing angled toward the upper end of the tubular structure so as to bedisposed at an acute angle with respect to the tubular axis.